Who hasn't had the chance to walk around a place in Israel and say "Wow, look how beautiful it is here, really Switzerland", but how many of you have already had the chance to see this wonderful country in order to question this statement? Switzerland is known for its spectacular landscapes, verdant valleys, blue lakes, flowing streams and huge waterfalls (ask the Sherlock Holmes) and above them all, huge and magnificent mountain peaks that reach about 4000 m above the ground. And as in everything in life, even in Switzerland you probably won't be disappointed by the view despite the high expectations, sometimes you have to choose.
So here are 10 mountain peaks that you should not miss in Switzerland.
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
The mountain emblazoned on the cover of the Toblerone is perhaps the most famous of the Swiss mountains, and rightfully so, because you have never seen such a mountain before. Its shape is like a huge pyramid and its height is about 4478 meters and probably when you see it for the first time someone will be forced to close your jaw. The mountain is located near the town of Zermatt[(Zermatt) and around the town there are countless points that offer different and amazing angles of the mountain.
In order to observe the full glory of Matarorn, we recommend 2 particularly worthwhile observations.
- Klein Matterhorn - The highest cable car in Europe
Train tickets >>
The first is the Klein Matterhorn (kleine matterhorn) also called the Matterhorn (glacier paradise. The Klein Matterhorn is a mountain at a height of 3883 meters that can be reached by cable car (the highest cable car in Europe!) and offers an amazing and different view of the Matterhorn and the surrounding area than you will see in Zermatt, when you are here you will probably feel On top of the world and try to catch and breathe every moment. The cable car ride takes about 40 minutes and the price is 120 francs for an adult, but you can get a half price discount if you have a Swiss discount card. For children up to the age of 9 the trip will be free, and from the age of 9 to the age of 16 it will cost 60 francs.
The site has a restaurant and many attractions including the possibility to ski 365 days a year. The adventurers among you will be able to climb to the summit of Breithorn on a route that takes about 3-4 hours. The route is not difficult because it only climbs about 300 meters, but due to the thin air and walking in the snow, it requires prior experience or alternatively going out with an organized group.
The site is open from 7:50-16:15 (last cable car goes down at 16:15). You can order tickets and get more information about the cable car on the website .
2. Gornergrat - Matterhorn in all its glory
Another option for a spectacular angle on the Matterhorn is the Gornergrat, which can be reached by train from Zermatt. The train takes about 40 minutes and at the end you will reach a lookout that offers the "classic" and most spectacular view of the Matterhorn, but not only.. From here you can also view the mighty Gorner glacier and about 29 other huge peaks rising to over 4000 meters. In addition, the site has a restaurant and the highest hotel in Europe (if you want to get up for this crazy view).
We also recommend going on a short trip of about 2 km to the Riffelsee lake. The trip does not start at the Gornergrat but at one stop before it called rotenboden. From there you can follow the signs to the Riffelsee, a beautiful alpine lake in whose waters the Matterhorn is reflected. After that you can retrace your steps or continue Enjoy the view and go down to Riffelberg, another station of the train and from here continue the route upwards if you have not yet visited Gornergrat or alternatively return to Zermatt. The route takes about an hour and includes an ascent of 50 meters and a descent of about 250 meters.
The train is active from 7:30 to 18:25 (although it is necessary to check the website for updates) and costs about 113 francs for an adult (you can get discounts of half the price with the help of the appropriate discount cards).
Interlaken area
No visit to Switzerland is complete without visiting the Interlaken area, The picturesque town offers an ideal starting point for the Bernese Alps, considered by many to be the highlight of Switzerland, which include the three famous peaks Eiger, Munch and Jungfrau. Here are the most impressive views in the area that you should not miss.
3. Shilthorn - because James Bond knows what is good
The summit of the Schilthorn is surprisingly a little less touristy than its neighbors (but don't expect to be there alone), but this does not prevent it from being the lookout on which the movie "On Her Majesty's Service" was filmed, one of the first James Bond movies, and for good reason. The lookout provides a feeling of a remote and isolated place in the heart of the mountains and offers a spectacular view and a different angle (and in our opinion also the most beautiful) of the three famous peaks of the area, as well as a tremendous panoramic picture of the ridge on which they sit and the other jagged peaks in it. For the observation you can take the cable car that goes up from the town of Lauterbrunnen.
In the summer the cable car is active from 9:00-17:00 and leaves once every 20 minutes. The cost for an adult is 108 francs (you can get discounts of about 50% with the help of the various discount cards), for a child up to the age of 15 the cost is 54 francs.
- Jungfraujoch - the highest railway in Europe
Befitting Switzerland who give the impression that everything in their place is "the most in Europe", so welcome to the highest railway in Europe, the Jungfraujoch, which was inaugurated in 1924 and was a pioneer in the entire field of mountain railways. The train will take you from Grindelwald Through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world at first and then through the impressive ridge of the Bernese Alps and when we say through, we mean right into the mountain on a route that is about 7 km long, at the end of which you will reach an observation point located in the saddle between the mountains Jungfrau and Monch. The observation is according to many the most beautiful in Switzerland and on days with visibility You can even see as far as the Black Forest, but the direction you'll probably be looking most of the time is the massive glacier that will spread out at your feet, so long that it was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first natural site in the Alps to receive this honor! On the site itself, beyond the views that will surround you from all sides, you can also play in the snow all year round, enjoy the highest ice palace in the world and go up to a spectacular star observation point called the Sphinx (which can only be reached up to an observation post and not inside).
The cost of the return route from Grindelwald to the observation deck costs 111 francs and it can be reached from several different places and the price will vary slightly accordingly (it is also possible to reach it from Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald - Terminal), of course there are also discounts for the right tickets. The trip takes about 45 minutes. In the summer the train is open from 9:00 to 16:00
- First - for fans of challenging sports and for those who don't...
For fans of challenging sports and First attractions, this is probably the best view in the area, but even those who prefer to sit and relax or enjoy a short walk will find themselves enjoying this view and its wonderful views to the fullest. The mountain is on the ridge that separates Grindelwald from the valley of Interlaken and can be reached by cable car from Grindelwald or alternatively climb on foot from there, an ascent of about 1200 meters. At the top of the mountain you can see the Eiger as if in the palm of your hand and if you decide to walk in the area you can also gain great views on the other side of the ridge and see from above the blue lakes Thun and Brinz and the town of Interlaken that separates them.
In addition, the site offers a variety of attractions, the best known of which is the first cliff walk - walking on a transparent bridge connected to the mountain and providing an experiential and beautiful walk. But if you are ready for something more extreme, you can enjoy Omega above the valley, fly over it with the help of paragliders, go karting down the hill or ride a mountain bike to Grindelwald. You can purchase a ticket that includes all or part of the attractions on the First website .
The area is also steep for hiking starting from this point. For those of you who are looking for a short and leisurely walk, we recommend going to Lake Bachalpsee. This is a short and pleasant route to a great lake with a perfect alpine view. For those of you who would prefer to go further, the most recommended route is probably the one that goes from here to Schynigge Platte, the route will be very challenging for those who are not used to walking in the mountains, but for those who are ready for the challenge, a spectacularly beautiful route awaits you with breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps, a spectacular view of the Interlaken valley and several lakes that will provide You have great reflections of the ridge in them. The full route takes about 6.5 hours in which you will climb 690 meters and descend 860, but in our eyes it is worth every drop of sweat. Note that schynigge platte There is a train that goes down to Interlaken and the last train leaves between 17:00 and 18:00 in the evening (changes sometimes and must be checked on the website) so you have to plan times on the route accordingly. The route can also be done in the opposite direction.
The cost of going to First is 34 francs one way and you can get discounts with the appropriate tickets. In the summer, the cable car is open from 9:00 - 12:00 in the morning and 13:30 - 17:00 pm in the afternoon. The price for Schynigge Platte same.
- Manlichen - "That's where Switzerland reached out and touched them"
Manlichen sits on the ridge that separates the Lauterbrunnen valley from the Grindelwald valley, these are the 2 main and most visited valleys in the region, so if you want to be in both valleys (and if you've come this far, we believe you will) and pass between them in a more experiential way than by train, you can do it by cable car that reaches Manlichen from Grindelwald and Mungen (a town located above Lauterbrunnen that can be reached by train). But treating Manlichen as a transit point would do the place an injustice because it is one of the most amazing viewpoints in Switzerland where you can see Jungfrau and Monach right nearby, if you want to get even closer to the mountains, you can walk from here to kleine Scheidegg on a route called the royal walk or in Hebrew "the royal path". The route follows the ridge line without too many ups and downs and will lead you to the foot of the Jungfrau to a place where to see the summit you will have to pay with a busy neck, the walk takes about 5 km (about an hour and a half walk) and if you want you can go down from here to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald on foot or by train.
At the top there are restaurants and lookout points. The cost of the cable car is 32 francs per adult one way from Grindelwald (the same if returning from kleine Scheidegg), from Wengen the price will be 26 francs per adult. Children have a 50% discount. Of course, there are also discounts for the appropriate ticket holders.
Opening hours in the summer are 8:30-17:30 for the cable car leaving Wengen and 8:15-17:30 for the cable car leaving Grindelwald.
7. Harder Kulm - the best view of Interlaken
Up until now we have mainly talked about glaciers and jagged peaks, it is hard to compete with such a landscape, but this is not the only spectacular landscape formation in the area, but there are also a considerable number of lakes that can be viewed from the top of the mountain. Moreover, the central town in the area is called Interlaken, which loosely translated means "between the lakes" and to see the wonderful valley in which the town is located and the lakes from which its name is derived in the best way, we recommend climbing to the summit of Harder Kolm. At the top there is an observation deck overlooking the valley, a restaurant and a short walking trail around the area. From Harder Kulm you can see the whole wonderful valley where Interlaken sits, the lakes Brienz and Thun and also the mighty peaks above the valley. Probably everywhere you turn your gaze here you will get a different and amazing view, so get your video camera ready already because one picture probably won't be able to capture everything. To get to the top of the mountain you can take a train from Interlaken, which operates from 09:00 to 21:40 but this can change so check on their website. We recommend reaching the peak precisely at sunset to see the sun go down over the valley and enjoy a peace and pastoral that will be hard to find. The cost of the cable car without the various discounts (which of course are also accepted here) is 40 francs for an adult and 20 francs for a child up to the age of 15.
Lucerne area
If you prefer the city but don't want to miss the most impressive mountains in the area, Lucerne is probably the ideal starting point for you, the town is located near the lake that bears its name and offers a relaxed and wonderful urban experience, in a very central location in Switzerland. Even if you are just passers-by here, there are mountains in the area that provide wonderful and varied and spectacular vantage points no less than the other vantage points on the list.
- Mount Pilatus (in German: Pilatus) - to be surrounded by all the colors of the rainbow
If you are in Lucerne there is no way you will miss Mount Pilatus. The mountain rises majestically above Lake Lucerne and provides it with a spectacular alpine view, but we recommend not only seeing it from below, but climbing to its summit to gain a 360 view of all the lakes of central Switzerland and Lake Lucerne in particular, the view is very different from the views observed from the other peaks on the list and that is why it is highly recommended not to miss him To go up the mountain you have to go to the town of Kriens from where a mountain train and a cable car go to the mountain. On the way to the top there is a stop with a rope park and a mountain slide and at the top of the mountain there is an observation deck and a restaurant. At the summit, you can do a number of routes at different levels, the most famous of which is the one and a half hour long route (40 minutes round trip and 40 minutes return) called the "Flower Road". Along the route you will be surrounded by stunning blooms against a landscape that stretches far with countless peaks and lakes. The walk in the route is not difficult and suitable even for those who are not used to many walks, however, it should be noted that it is about 5 km long, so before that, see if it is something that suits your abilities.
Going up the cable car costs about 78 francs per person, as usual you can get a discount for holders of the appropriate card.
Opening hours in summer are 8:30-17:00,
9. Titlis - everything In one place
Titlis is a huge glacier located above the picturesque town of Engelberg, about 40 minutes from Lucerne and an hour and a half from Interlaken, where you can do almost any mountain attraction you can think of. Want alpine views from all sides? Climb to its summit and enjoy jagged peaks and mighty glaciers. Want a leisurely walk beside a lake? Stop midway up and walk around the pastoral trubsee lake. Want omega, going down the hill with a bike, paragliding, sailing in the lake, or put a bag on your back and start walking - you got it, just choose. In short, if you want all the mountains listed here in one place and without lowering the quality - this is the place. To get to the top of the Titlis you have to go to the town of Engelberg from where there are three cable cars that connect the town to the mountain. At each of the stopping points along the way there are a variety of activities that can suit any type of traveler. The cable car to the summit is active from 8:30-17:00 and takes about 30 minutes. The price for a round trip is 96 francs for an adult, or 69 francs one way. Children are entitled to a 50% discount. There are discounts as usual.
And last but not least, although it is not in Switzerland, but because it is right next to it.
- Mont Blanc - the highest mountain in the Alps
Mont Blanc (in French: Mont Blanc "white mountain") – If you are a fan of the Alps, then there is probably no need to introduce Moun Blanc to you, if the Matterhorn is the king of Switzerland then Moun Blanc is the king of the Alps - the highest among them and undoubtedly one of the most impressive. To see Mont Blanc you will have to travel to the town of Chamonix in France, which is about an hour away from Geneva. The town is near the border with Italy and Switzerland. Mont Blanc offers a variety of amazing experiences and views, if you want to see it up close we recommend taking the cable car to aguille du midi. There is a lot to do in the area, starting with mountain climbing, cable car tours and many attractions, the place is just waiting for you to get there, so what are you waiting for?
Important note: in order to climb all the peaks mentioned in the article without taking out a mortgage, there are discounted tickets, there is a page on the website that explains in detail about all the tickets and the benefits included in them. If you intend to be at more than one peak in the area, we strongly recommend purchasing one of the tickets mentioned in the article
